THE FISHERIES. 109 



nothing but regard for the pubhc good — palmed 

 their crude opinions on the Government of the day, 

 and upon the pubhc, and proceeded to unsettle, and 

 shake to its basis, the ancient adjustment of that 

 species of property ; repeahng the whole code of 

 fishery laws, and substituting in their place a sta- 

 tute, embodying the rashest innovations. And what 

 has been the result ? — anarchy and confusion from 

 that day to this : the recognized maxim and prac- 

 tice, in fact, now being — 



That he should take, who has the power, 

 And he should keep, who cau. 



Pubhc rights of fishery invaded — private rights sa- 

 crificed, or reduced to a mere scramble ; and even- 

 tuaUy, the fish itself, in complete horror (as an ho- 

 nourable member lately expressed it in the House 

 of Commons) at such defective legislation, was re- 

 treating gradually before the assaults of that ho- 

 nourable House, and had absolutely, almost forsaken 

 our rivers altogether. 



A wise, and just settlement then, of both these 

 questions is now absolutely required ; and is indeed 

 necessary to the welfare and tranquilhty of the coun- 

 try ; and we have every confidence, that both will 

 be proceeded with, under the auspices of the pre- 

 sent Government, upon sound, just, and equitable 

 principles. The adjustment of the practical machi- 

 nery by which our agriculture and our fisheries shall 

 in future be regulated, would, indeed, appear to be 



